Effiduase hospital begins new maternity ward construction amid maternal health concerns

Effiduase Government Hospital in the Ashanti Region has begun building a new maternity ward to tackle crucial maternal health issues in the area. The Ashanti Region remains the top contributor to national maternal deaths, accounting for 24.6% of all such deaths in 2025. While there has been a 25% decrease in institutional maternal mortality in the first half of 2026, the progress is still below the national objective.

Authorities believe the high numbers are due to delayed referrals, crowded facilities, and limited capacity at smaller hospitals. At Effiduase Government Hospital, these problems are evident, with the current maternity unit struggling with insufficient space, few delivery beds, and overcrowding. This leads to delayed care, loss of privacy for mothers, and higher risks for both mother and child.

The new ward aims to alleviate these issues by reducing congestion, preventing infections, ensuring safer and more dignified deliveries, and better managing complications before they need referral to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, the Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, contributed GH¢20,000 towards the project's construction on behalf of the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency of the New Patriotic Party.

The executives of the constituency praised Dr. Afriye for his ongoing support of healthcare delivery, stating that improving peripheral facilities like Effiduase matches the Regional Health Directorate's goal of increasing district-level capacity and minimizing needless referrals and deaths. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance maternal healthcare infrastructure in the Ashanti Region and speed up the reduction of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.